hellraizer30
Rebel From The North
Theres tons of folks wating mapito, just not enough product to go around! So yes
Mapito, Has anybody used it?
- Thread starter AstheCROWflies
- Start date
Moebius
Well-Known Member
I agree 100%.
From what I can tell, as an outsider. The U.S has a massive unexploited market in 'Mapito' and other innovative substrates. Whats almost unique is that much of the marketing will be done by its online users.
If I had the business acumen I would do the 'math' and consider it.
jela10
Well-Known Member
You might want to consider the simplicity of the mix and the fact that some growers need stealth. Once the foam type and source is discovered by the public, they could start making their own. The materials are already there in local grow shops for the coco/rockwool mix. Just buy a bag of each and mix them during the nute pre-charge. A company producing it here "openly" in the states is subject to many OSHA regulations for safety...especially with rockwool.
Well, just so you know, the ingredients for Mapito is nothing more than polyurethane and rockwool - that's it. The PU is inert and it's job is to hold moister and keep the rockwool from compacting. But the only real problem with polyurethane is it is fairly expensive unless bought in bulk. If I was to do it the way you describe, I would think a 1 cubic foot bag should sell for $10 + shipping... They are currently selling the "mapito blend" for $35 and thats 1.5 cubic foot? As you can see, this would be a good deal as even though rockwool isn't cheap but you can play around and get the ratio of rockwool/polyurethane to your liking
Moebius
Well-Known Member
My thoughts on PU Mapito.Well, just so you know, the ingredients for Mapito is nothing more than polyurethane and rockwool - that's it. The PU is inert and it's job is to hold moister and keep the rockwool from compacting. But the only real problem with polyurethane is it is fairly expensive unless bought in bulk. If I was to do it the way you describe, I would think a 1 cubic foot bag should sell for $10 + shipping... They are currently selling the "mapito blend" for $35 and thats 1.5 cubic foot? As you can see, this would be a good deal as even though rockwool isn't cheap but you can play around and get the ratio of rockwool/polyurethane to your liking
PU is essentially inert in itself. But what about the additives they put in at time of manufacture? the coloring or the fire retardants. ... AFAIK Very few fire-retardants have passed FDA controls. lol.
PU is naturally combustible (fire risk in a grow room) so you can tell if your Mapito contains retardants by lighting the PU. If it doesn't go up in flames then you know.
IMO. PU foam should not be used in growing Ganja.
Jela's had Amazing results using PU Mapito but I know he shares some of my concerns. I personally think the Rockwool/Coir Mix is the way to go.
Good questions... And all PU isn't the same. Regular PU for furniture won't work as it's not meant for liquids... Haha... I am on it but I can't give away all my secrets as I am thinking about making this a business.
Just rest assured when/if I come out with a new type mapito, all these questions will be addressed so that it will be a quality product. I am currently working with an expert in the foam industry (here in the USA, not China) that assures me a safe/effective/inert solution to this will not be a problem
Moebius
Well-Known Member
Good questions... And all PU isn't the same. Regular PU for furniture won't work as it's not meant for liquids... Haha... I am on it but I can't give away all my secrets as I am thinking about making this a business.
Just rest assured when/if I come out with a new type mapito, all these questions will be addressed so that it will be a quality product. I am currently working with an expert in the foam industry (here in the USA, not China) that assures me a safe/effective/inert solution to this will not be a problem
*(I discussed this in another thread. so sorry for any repetition)
Correct .. All PU is not the same. and that's part of the problem. ...but AFAIK the Mapito doesnt contain any horticultural grade PU (If that even exists). I think it is the stuff in 'cheap' furniture. but if you were able to source something 'safe' it would need certification. and suspicion may still remain.
People are eating Ganja for health reasons. so IMO your substrate should not contain colorants or fire retardants.
Well, I don't know if you're old enough to remember the song Garden Party... "You can't please everyone"... And I'm not trying to take what you say lightly and belittle it... I'm just saying that it isn't rocket science and if people aren't gonna accept my word that it isn't furniture grade, then oh well... I'm not gonna try to please everyone as it will never happen.
If your PU, or whatever it is in your mapito is shredded, then it is probably just furniture grade leftovers. But please be sure to understand, I said "probably". I'm not trash talking any mapito manufacturers/distributers cause I got no way to back this up. All I know is that if I come out with a additive that someone can just buy and mix up to their own rockwool, then I wont make it. But it's up to the consumer to believe it or not - I'm not gonna spend my last dime to try to convince them to buy something when I'll most likely be undercutting everyone else :/
As far as colorants... My GH Flora series has dye in it and nowhere on the label does it say FDA approved dye - does that mean I shouldn't use it?
If your PU, or whatever it is in your mapito is shredded, then it is probably just furniture grade leftovers. But please be sure to understand, I said "probably". I'm not trash talking any mapito manufacturers/distributers cause I got no way to back this up. All I know is that if I come out with a additive that someone can just buy and mix up to their own rockwool, then I wont make it. But it's up to the consumer to believe it or not - I'm not gonna spend my last dime to try to convince them to buy something when I'll most likely be undercutting everyone else :/
As far as colorants... My GH Flora series has dye in it and nowhere on the label does it say FDA approved dye - does that mean I shouldn't use it?
Moebius
Well-Known Member
Good point. Im not a chemist but just offer my thoughts and opinion.
I don't know what Flora used but its possible its a plant derivative. Dyes used in food or drink (liquids) are a completely different beast than those used in plastics and foams.
My concern would be as these substrates break down (everything breaks down) what might they release? A bonafide chemist or materials specialist may offer a better insight.
Thanks, and I am working with a specialist... I can post links in reference to what you are saying but they might give away who I'm working with and might give someone a competitive advantage.
Another problem that arises with mapito is that it is advertised to use again and again... I'm honestly not to keen on this idea - not because I might be selling it, but because, like you say, everything does break down. Do you realize they recommend that people refrain from drinking beverages out of aluminum cans because of the risk of buildup of aluminum in the body? But for every website stating these evils, you'll find 100 more debunking them...
Personally, I try to refrain from aluminum cans yet I drink bottled water which is probably worse as the chemicals from the water are said to possibly leach out :/
jela10
Well-Known Member
You know, after breaking down the mapito and looking at the roots....I see more penetration of the rockwool chunks...don't know if the foam is "air-pruning" the roots due to more air content or if the roots simply divert their path to the rockwool based on higher moisture content. One concern I had while pre-soaking it was that the foam floated to the top of the bath. I though wow, I'm gonna have to add this to the bucket by handfuls to ensure uniformity in the distribution, and that I did. My best educated guess is that the foam is a "spacer" with more air content allowing more oxygen content within the medium. A cubed rockwool medium like Grodan Gro-chunks (3/4") or Mini-cubes (1/2") will keep air between cubes anyway because of the irregular mateup of their surfaces. That will be the medium I use next grow, just to see. I'm having success with young sprouts of BF LSD in the mini-cubes right now. They are bigger already than a couple I have in coco.
Moebius
Well-Known Member
I think the power of 'Mapito' lies in the RW.
edit:
The smaller the cube the greater the surface area as a proportion of it volume. or. the larger the cube, the less surface area it has as a proportion of its volume, to other smaller objects.
Volume 1/2" = 1.25cm(cubed) = 1.95cm3
Volume 3/4" = 1.87cm(cubed) = 6.57cm3
I think more surface area will benefit the root system .... the math predicts it will dry out quicker. LOL.
edit;
the math is slightly wrong here but the point remains.
Very good points here
That was actually one of my problems with mapito that uses flock foam and why we are looking to make our mapito type medium with 1/2" cubed foam and flocked rockwool - like minds think alike, I suppose.
mapitogrowmedium
Member
If ANYONE has a question about Mapito contact me [email protected]
Owner/CEO
Owner/CEO
Anybody used those sources?
http://mapitousa.com/
http://www.mapitogrowmedium.com/
Which one is better quality?
http://mapitousa.com/
http://www.mapitogrowmedium.com/
Which one is better quality?
megamouthuk
Active Member
For such impressive looking plants the root system looks very poor, like only just started, maybe if you vegged longer roots and plants would have been massive, although they are superb just more roots more bud scenario.
Very impressed with your plants and grow diary, well done.
Megamouth
BIGBALLSJOE
Member
mapito is great medium .. superior to rockwool blocks and other media, just dont put PU flakes in it, you dont need it
just flock rockwool fed several times a day
just flock rockwool fed several times a day
jela10
Well-Known Member
I'm inclined to agree about the PU chunks.....earlier in this thread I mentioned that the roots penetrated the rockwool but went around the PU chunks as if they were air pruned. Another bummer was the foam floating to the top when rinsing and pre-charging in a large batch. I have personally moved on to Grodan rockwool mini-cubes in my hempy bucket reservoirs. They hold a lot of water but the irregular mate-up of their surfaces gets me air down there as the plants drink it up.
Nizza
Well-Known Member
good to see you around jela, hope things are going well. I remember you back way from the hempy forums with mobieus . Wonder what ever happened to him. I saw indoor sun king is around still, good to see you are as well!